Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Educational Developer to lead the specification and costing of UAE-based Master’s (MSc/MA) programmes (typically 180 credits aligned with the UK FHEQ). This role is central to developing documentation to support investor-facing financial modelling, pricing strategies, and the programmes business case.
Working closely with the executive lead, you will contribute to the design of MSc/MA programmes in creative or adjacent digital disciplines, suitable for differentiated modes of delivery (e.g., full-time, part-time, work-based, or online learning).
This short-term, high-impact engagement is ideal for an educational strategist with strong curriculum development credentials, expertise in UK quality frameworks, and the ability to model realistic academic costs without compromising pedagogical integrity. While subject matter expertise in the discipline is not essential, a solid understanding of academic programme design and quality assurance is required. This role is well suited to educational developers, academic registrars, quality assurance specialists, curriculum designers, and related professionals.
Key Responsibilities
1) Programme Specification Design & Development:
* Design 180-credit MSc or MA programme specifications, including modular structures, assessment strategies, and teaching/learning hour breakdowns, that can subsequently be costed on a per-credit basis.
* Develop module outlines, clear learning outcomes, and innovative assessment methodologies.
* Detail credit breakdowns, modular structures, and balanced teaching/contact versus independent learning hours.
* Create differentiated credit descriptors that capture variations in subject matter (e.g., technical, theoretical, practice-based, AI, Gamification) to enable precise costing across diverse delivery modes.
2) Credit and Costing Methodologies:
* Develop credit descriptors differentiating technical, theoretical, work-based, independent, and practice-based modules to enable detailed scenario-based costing across varied delivery modes (including on-campus, remote, online).
* Produce documentation that outlines programme aims, learning outcomes, contact and independent learning hours, assessment strategies, and resource implications (staffing, facilities, related resources) for each programme to inform business modelling.
3) Strategic Alignment & Stakeholder Engagement:
* Collaborate with executive leads and financial modellers to ensure the curriculum design supports accurate, scenario-based cost modelling and instils investor assurance.
* Liaise closely with key internal and external stakeholders, including industry experts, potential academic partners, and project leadership, to integrate strategic priorities and align curriculum designs with current and future industry requirements in innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative digital disciplines.
* Contribute to a draft implementation roadmap to further refine costings and inform wider stakeholder planning.
4) Quality Assurance & Pedagogical Innovation:
* Ensure all programme outputs are fully aligned with UK FHEQ Level 7 standards, are adaptable to international contexts, and reflect industry best practices in quality assurance and enhancement.
* Integrate flexible, blended, and practice-led delivery models that foster academic rigour alongside real-world relevance for postgraduate professional learners.
5) Documentation and Delivery:
* Deliver all documentation in editable formats (Word or Google Docs) that meet both financial and academic scrutiny.
Essential Requirements
* Proven expertise: Extensive experience in postgraduate curriculum design at FHEQ Level 7, programme specification, and quality assurance/enhancement.
* UK Quality Frameworks: Deep working knowledge of the UK FHEQ, including credit weighting, learning hour calculations, and unit-level assessment design.
* Learning Design Acumen: Demonstrable ability to design integrated, modular, and credit-based programmes that balance academic rigour with applied, practice-led and work-based learning for professionals, incorporating strategic insight into how academic models influence operating costs and underpin investor confidence.
* Relevant experience: of academic design and delivery in creative disciplines, digital media, AI, creative technology, design, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary innovation, or related fields.
* Strategic & Collaborative: Exceptional communication and academic writing skills, marked by precision and clarity in documentation. Proven ability to work autonomously, manage complex tasks under tight deadlines, and engage effectively with stakeholders (including via remote collaboration tools). Strategic awareness of how academic models affect operating costs and investor assurance is vital.
* Immediate availability, with ability to work independently (including remotely) and meet tight deadlines.
Desirable
* Familiarity with international qualifications frameworks such as UK FHEQ, EQF (European Qualifications Framework), SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework), HKQF (Hong Kong Qualifications Framework), SQF (Singapore Qualifications Framework), and QFEmirates (UAE Qualifications Framework).
* Experience with transnational programme development or regulatory alignment processes.
* Prior involvement in academic start-ups, new institutional models, or cost-sensitive institutional planning.
* Capacity to contribute to strategic implementation roadmaps where required.
* While not required to be a subject matter expert or active academic, candidates must demonstrate thorough understanding of academic programme development and quality assurance processes.
Contract Terms
* 3-month consultancy initially, with potential extension depending on project progress.
* Remote working is supported; however, the ideal candidate will be willing to travel as required.
* A strict confidentiality agreement (NDA) is mandatory due to commercial sensitivity and the time-critical nature of the project.
Application Process
Please submit a CV (no more than 3 sides of A4), tailored to the requirements of the role, highlighting relevant experience and completed projects, outlining relevant experience and confirming availability. Further institutional details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.